Jhonriel Casimero: The ?Pinoy Road Warrior? comes home!
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 08 Aug 2012
Jhonriel Casimero is back in the Philippines today after his victory over the weekend in Sinaloa, Mexico.
Casimero alongside promoter Sammy Gello-ani and trainer Ping Ping Tepora landed in NAIA Wednesday morning from Los Angeles after a successful defense of his IBF Junior Flyweight belt against Mexican Pedro Guevara.
?Happy ako kasi nanalo ako. Happy din ako kasi maraming sumuporta din.? (I am happy I won and happy that many supported me.) said the 22 year old boxer when I talked to him the night before his flight.
The Ormoc City born boxer also mentioned IBF president Daryl Peoples who supervised his fight in enemy territory. ?Siya mismo ang nag supervise sa laban para hindi ako matakot sa lugar ng aking kalaban.? (He supervised the fight himself and assured me so that I won?t get scared fighting in my opponent?s hometown.)
Casimero?s anxiety in fighting out of the Philippines is valid. After beating Luis Alberto Lazarte of Argentina in his hometown last February, a riot ensued after Lazarte?s fans and countrymen disapproved of their fighter?s defeat in the hands of Casimero. He and his team suffered injuries from the angry Argentinean crowd who mobbed them after he stopped Lazarte in the 10th round.
Thus, he is thankful that the IBF made sure that such incident will not happen again in his fight last Saturday. He was also thankful that the Mexican people were gracious in defeat after he eked out a close Split Decision win over Guevara.
?Mabait ang mga tao sa Mexico, marunong naman silang tumanggap ng pagkatalo.? (The people from Mexico are nice, they accepted their defeat well.) expressed Casimero.
Casimero expressed confidence that he won his fight against the unbeaten Guevara after the fight went to the judges? cards at the end of twelve rounds.
?Ang pakiramdam ko panalo ako kasi ako ang nagdala sa laban.? (I felt I won it because I carried the fight.) He admitted that he had a hard time chasing Guevara who according to him to ran a lot during their bout.
Casimero flies to his home base of Cebu City from Manila right away where a motorcade and a press conference await him.
?Nagpapasalamat ako sa kanila (fans and countrymen) kasi pinagdasal nila ako sa laban ko at sana hindi sila magsawa ng pagsuporta sa akin. (I thank my fans and countrymen who prayed for me in my fight and I hope that they won?t tire in their support.) Casimero said.
The champion plans to rest for the meantime while he waits for his next fight. Asked if he intends to fight in Mexico or in any country again outside of the Philippines, Casimero replied ?Kahit saan, kung sino ang may gusto na kalabanin ako.? (I will fight anywhere, and fight anyone who wants to fight me.)
But until then, the ?Pinoy Road Warrior? deserves the comforts of home.
You can email the author at rrmaze24@aol.com for any reactions to this piece.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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